Culvert-pipe.



S. T. FERGUSON.

GULVERT PIPE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, 190B.

Patented Mar. 16, 1909.

.skilled in the art to which UNITED sTAtrns .l ATENT QFFICE.

saM T. rnneusomor MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

' cULvERT-PIrE.

Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented March 16, 1909.

Application flied May 27, 1908. Serial No. 435,214.

an improved culvert pipe, and to-t is end it consists of-theinov construction, combi nations, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

Pipes used in culverts and for similar purposes arefrequently broken by freezing of water therein. To. prevent this I slit the pipe sections and connect the slit edges by a tight joint which will, nevertheless,'perm1t expansion of the pipe, to thereby prevent breaking when water is frozen solid therein.

.This improved expansion joint is particularly adapted for ap lication to cast iron pipe sections, but it a so makespossible the use of more fragile materials, such 'for instance, as tile or earthen'material.

As another feature of the invention, the pipe sections are connected by interlockin oints which serve to prevent unintentional endwise separation of the coupled pipe sec-, tions.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the. several views. I Y

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is-a plan view, with some arts broken away showing two connected pipe sections designed in accordance with my invention. Fig. *2 is a section taken of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View partly in elevation and partly in section on the line x a: of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of one of the pipe sections; and Fig. 5 is adetail in section on the line 01 -40 of Fig. 2. r

Each pipe section 1, at one end, has an enlarged flange 2 that is adapted to receive the small end of a pipe section which is to be connected thereto; These pipe sections are slit from end to end, 'as shown at 3, and theexpansion joints thus formed are overlapped by inner and outer joint strips or thin metal bars 4 that are connected by rivets 5.

on the line x m The rivets 5 are passed through the slits 3 and the latter are preferably notched to afford clearance for the said rivets. The joint strips 4 form approximately water tight joints at the slit edges of the pipe sections, but at the same timeperinit the pipe sections to expand very materially and thus preventing breaking thereof when they are. filled with water and the water frozen into ice. At the same time, these expansion joints do not weaken the pipe sections in their resistance to compressing or crushing strains, such as thereon. Each pipe section within this enlarged end flange 2, is formed with ap roXi mately L-sha ed lock notches 66 an with beveled lock lugs, 7; and at their other ends the'said pipe-sections are formed with dia' metrically opposite beveled lock lugs 8. The lock lugs S'are adapted to be engaged with the lock lugs 7 and the adjacent pipe section by first alining the said lugs 8 with the seat sections 6,tl1en forcing the same axially and then rotating the same into the seat section 6*.

It is, of course, evident that when the pipe sections are con led together as .shown .111 Fig. 1, they will be securely held against accidental or unintentional endwise separation. In fact, the pipe sections can be con led together or separated only by combine rotary and endwise movement. Preferably, the in- ,t erlocking end joints and the expansible oints are so arranged that the latter will aline ap roximately when the pipe sections are coup ed.

A sectional, interlocking and expansible pipe of the character above described, while especially adapted for use as a culvert pipe,

is, nevertheless, capable of may other uses, as a drain pipe, sewer pipe, or, in fact, for almostany other use where an absolutely water ti ht pipe is required.

B re erence to Fig. 3 it will be noted that the ugs 7 and 8 are beveled in a direction circumferentially of the pipe, and by reference to Fig.5 it will be .noted that said lugs are also-beveled in cross section, that is, in a direction longitudinally of the pipe. This latter bevel gives a somewhat adjustable joint which will permit considerable sag in long ipes and also makes it possible to that produced by the weight of the earth couple t e pipe sections together when they r jointand haying inner and outerjoint strips ini the said joint stri gs mto the said pipe,

sta e 1 clamped to and embracing the slit edges su ntially as deson thereof substantially as described. Intestimony whereof I affix my signature 2. The combination with a. ipe section inpreseno'e of two witnesses. V, '5 slit from end to end, ofjinne an outer joint SAM T. FERGUSON. 7 strips engaging and embracing the slit edges Witnesses:

thereof, andrivets interposed between the HARRY D. KILGORE,

slitedgesof said pipe and frietionally clamp- MALIE HOEL. 

